Tuesday, November 24, 2009

I went to London yesterday and asked my editor if it was okay to show the cover of TO DEFY A KING to the world. She said yes, so here it is. It's a PDF that I've had to open in paint and a better resolution one will be available in the not too distant future, but here's one to be going on with - and isn't it fabulous! It still says historical fiction, but it's not run of the mill headless woman/body part/ etc. It has a filmic looks and I love it to bits. The background cloth is slightly more prominent and is a kind of rich damask fabric.Click on the image to enlarge

Monday, November 16, 2009

I mentioned last time that I'd be posting some snippets from my Akashic Records research on the Empress Matilda. What are the Akashic Records? Here's an explanatory piece on my website about them. http://www.elizabethchadwick.com/akashic_record.html Sometimes this method of accessing the past is known as Remote viewing.
Alison and I have been investigating the life of the Empress Matilda for about 6 months now. There is still a wealth of research to come, but here, for the curious and the interested, are a few select paragraps from the 100,000 words we've assembled so far on the subject of her life, her times, and the people surrounding her. My work in progress has a working title of LADY OF THE ENGLISH (which may change) and is going to be about Empress Matilda between 1125 and 1148. She will be sharing the stage with Henry I's queen, Adeliza of Louvain, who was also 'Lady of the English' during her time as a royal wife.

I will post more notes on another occasion. These are taken at intervals from the chronological document where I collate the weekdly episodes. We haven't got fully going on the civil war yet. The below are pieces from the earlier years and only the point on the tip of the iceberg.

Matilda as a child before she goes to marry the Emperor of Germany.

She’s like a miniature grown up.I would say she is very forceful, very aware.Not afraid, not timid, interested in everything, interested in experiences.She has a lot of life about her.She has love for her father.Her eyes go up at the right hand side when she thinks of her father.Her eyes make a little crescent and they’re just adoring.They come alight.How does she feel about her mother?Alison’s voice lowers and grows dull. ‘Bleuggh, Mummy.Mummy’s as dull as ditchhwater she thinks, and mummy smacks her with a stick, so mummy’s not favourite.She doesn’t want to be like mummy, she wants to be like daddy.

Matilda's relationship with Emperor Henry

He talks politics with her.He knows that she is interested in politics and that she is motivated by politics.So he thinks that it will make him more attractive to her.If she wants a man to be proud of, he will be that man.Mainly he thinks of her as slightly in the background in her correct position and following him around.He thinks of her as smaller than him, doing the right thing.He does appreciate her quite a lot actually.He appreciates her good sense and being able to see the right thing to do in the right circumstances and that she is sensible in her household duties.He likes that.He thinks that he’s got a genuinely good egg.He’d just like to get her abit more aroused.Alison laughs. He’s always cogitating how to do this!I say – like the guy buying his wife the basque and the suspenders for Christmas!Yes!

So what does Matilda think about being given these sexy clothes?Alison replies that they’re not sexy,they are genuinely beautiful.I say, ‘So what does she think about being given all these gifts and clothes? She likes it.Who wouldn’t?In a shy way she appreciates him for doing it, and also because they are often things that she would never have thought of, so it enhances her life, and he has a way of thinking of these things and she would never have bothered. If she had to do those sort of things, they would have been very practically carried out, but she can see the advantage as well and feel how it holds sway in the court to look very good – so she uses it in a practical way and she is starting to have quite a soft spot for him.I wouldn’t say it’s a meeting of souls or anything, but there is a side of her that’s quite fond of him

Now go to any time before 1126 when Matilda was pregnant – if there was a time.

Alison: I feel sick.Yes, she’s puking.Yuk.She’s got all these gorgeous silk gowns on.She feels absolutely dreadful.She’s rolling on the bed.She feels horrible. Sick.She’s rolling on the bed and holding her stomach.She’s crying – not sobbing, but it’s bringing tears to her eyes it’s so bad.She’s feeling really horrible.Fast Forward. More sickness.She feels as if she’s going to retch her whole insides out.It’s made her feel so ill; she’s all pale and can’t do anything.All sunken in and weak. FFW.She’s pretty bad.She’s not being sick now, but she’s weak and ill and her tummy hurts.Every time she moves she feels as if she’s at sea and she’s going to be sea-sick, so she tends to stay very still, sitting in a chair. FFW This feels better now.She’s walking now, waddling.Quite heavy.She’s resigned to things.She often has to be helped.I can see her being helped to have a bath.I can see her putting her foot in the water.The bath tub is one of these wooden things.She’s being given a good wash and her hair piled up on her head.She’s thinking that if all pregnancy is like this, it’s a wonder she didn’t know it was as bad as this and people must have had a real conspiracy of silence about all this.FFW. More sickness again and ripples of movement, although it doesn’t feel painful this time.She’s just about unconscious; that’s why it doesn’t feel painful.She keeps going in and out of consciousness.She’s absolutely exhausted and it’s still all in there; it hasn’t come out. She’s in labour?I think so, unless she’s asleep.Yes, she’s in labour.She’s not in her body though; she’s going way, way off.It’s taking ages, FFW. There’s a lot of blood.Her back passage is really in trouble as well.Nothing’s happening.I can see the baby’s head and it’s all blue and still between her legs.

Matilda's reaction to the Emperor's death?

Alison:Grief, sadness in her abdomen, solar plexus, eyes.Crying.She’s also quite controlled in the sense that she’s static in one place.She’s sitting quite neatly and crying gently. FFW. She’s coming out from the crying.In the aftermath she’s still feeling quite gutted and delicate but she’s making the motions of carrying on in a normal way.Those around her are very sympathetic and allowing for her grief and allowing for her trying as well. Her trying?Her trying to restore normality.They feel sadness as well.This is a genuine sadness and grief that is passing.There’s not much thought going on beyond that sadness, apart from a small thought low down ‘What shall I do now?’

Description of Stephen of Blois, future King of England

Stephen has very bulbous features.He has wide, round eyes with heavy lids and heavy underneath sometimes.Mid-brown eyes that are quite dense.

Robert of Gloucester, Matilda's half brother

He’s a big, intelligent complex man. Tall, strong, flexible.Aaah, he picks Matilda up in his arms, kisses her on both cheeks.He treats her like one of the boys in lots of ways.He doesn’t alter the conversation at all for her.He says it’s good to have her back.

He seems to be tired.He’s dozing and it’s late at night.She comes into the room.She’s got her arm round a basket of stuff.She’s clearing the room, putting things in the basket.He says ‘Don’t do that right now.Sit by me.’He makes her put the basket down.They sit together and make plans about what she wants to do with her life.He is being very attentive in a military way.Very practical.He doesn’t miss out on the emotion either.He often asks ‘How do you do that in Germany? (doesn’t say Germany but that’s what he means).He brings her out and makes her rise to the occasion and use her intelligence.He gives her his perspective on what she says as well.He doesn’t seem to be talking about himself.It’s not necessary.He’s interested in knowing about her and he’s thoughtful.His emotions and his mind work closely together.Does he think Matilda could be the next ruler of England? Maybe, with the right man at her side.It’s too early to tell yet.He certainly takes her very seriously.He’s assessing her character all the time and likes what he sees.She is straight.He trusts her.She is someone with logic and a brain.She has everything you need for any situation.

Description of Geoffrey of Anjou, Matilda's 2nd husband - on being told he is to marry Matilda.

There’s a dusty, ashy feeling in the mouth and a downturn of the lips.He’s thinking he’s getting something second-hand, used.He’s got all his youth to offer and he’s to get something second hand.He’s thinking maybe if he uses her very well she may die in childbirth because he’s heard that older women do.And then he can have someone nice.I can feel that he’s in quite a large room with his father.They’re at quite a distance.His father is nearer towards the fire and Geoffrey is looking across the room and towards the window.He’s thinking of all the luscious ladies in the village outside who would be very acceptable but he’s to have this older lump of a woman. He knows where he’s at politically.They’ve had a lot of discussion around the political side of it. But never mind,If he goes at it hard that will be the best plan of action and he’s got youth on his side, he’ll outlive her.And then, political thing satisfied, he’ll be able to have his pick.Meanwhile he’s just got to put a brave face on and be political.He is quite pleased with that because he is rather handsome and he likes posing and inspecting.He has wavy hair, quite thick lips nicely shaped.Plumpish soft cheeks.Very attractive in a cherubic sort of way. The eyes are not cherubic at all.They’re a greenish colour but they flash!And when they flash, they flash blue in the depths of the green.Very glassy, but sea-type colours.

How Brian FitzCount, supporter of Matilda, felt about her.

Alison makes a small sound.He has to look the other way actually. Because he likes her? Yes.I wouldn’t go so far as to say he doesn’t trust himself – but oh gosh, it’s terrible actually.If he got attached to her, it would be like falling down a huge mountain in darkness and he couldn’t do it to himself.So he has to keep it very light and very official.It is the loyal servant very much in love with the mistress.But this loyal servant is also extremely intelligent and also self aware and aware of his position and feelings and situation.He has real dignity.

What Queen Adeliza thinks about Matilda getting married to Geoffrey of Anjou.

Alison:She couldn’t be more pleased.She thinks it’s delightful.He’s handsome. She thinks Matilda will be very lucky. Her husband is such a clever man for thinking of the match and guiding his daughter in this way.She likes the feeling that everything’s settled.She thinks Matilda will soon get used to it.It’s hard for her to get over the grief of her first bereavement.She understands that; that is the main thing that gets in the way. So the age difference doesn’t bother her? He is very mature for his years and when he is in his twenties they will both be adults, so she can’t see a problem.She says that his seed will be young and potent, so they will be guaranteed good, healthy children.She knows it has been a problem for Matilda (as well as herself) and it makes her sad, but she wishes well to Matilda.Has she discussed the situation with Matilda re the betrothal and marriage? She can see Matilda moping.Matilda is very reluctant to talk to Adeliza.Adeliza is sad because she wants to comfort Matilda and reassure her that everything is going to be all right and she’ll have a good life.She thinks Matilda is sad because of the death of her first husband and wants to comfort her.It’s all falling on deaf ears.Adeliza wishes she could do something to change Matilda’s attitude before she goes.She dearly wishes that.She talks about it to Henry but he’s not very sympathetic.Adeliza becomes thoughtful.She doesn’t know what she can do, but she hopes that on the journey to Anjou, Matilda will have a change of heart and look forward, not back, and be looking forward to being a wife and a mother in a great household.She prays for her and wishes sincerely for her wellbeing.

She provides clothes and goods for her to take with her and help her on her journey – particularly clothing.Quality things.

David, future King of Scotland

He’s got very lively, sparkly brown eyes.He’s a very nice person, a loving person, but quite balanced and he knows the score.He knows everybody’s not nice.He’s a very able person.He knows himself well.He can turn on the charm.He’s basically a nice guy, but not a fool and not naieve.

Henry II as a toddler with his mother

I am seeing bottle shapes.They look like skittles and they are falling down.The child is crawling.It’s outdoors. They are on grass.The child is crawling towards the skittles.Matilda has told everyone to hold back a bit, not roll any more balls.She wants to see what he’ll do.He’s put one of the skittles back up on its base.He’s put a loop round it.It’s not skittles that you knock over but the sort you put a hoop over.It’s a flat hoop about an inch anda half wide.Alison laughs. Then he puts both arms in the air as if to say ‘Hooray, I’ve won!’Aaah, Matilda is clapping him and saying ‘Well done, well done.Bravo!Bravo!’ He’s still holding a hoop while he’s in her arms and he’s waving it about and she’s praising him for being so clever.She is saying, ‘Here is the winner of the game, here is the winner!She’s holding him up higher as well.She is saying more quietly to him ‘That’s right, that’s how you win.’Meaning?It doesn’t matter how you win, as long as you get the hoop over.She’s praising him because she wants a winner in the household. She’s making sure that everyone in the court applauds him and acknowledges his win – so she is also training them.She is saying ‘Daddy will come and explain some more things to you.Your daddy is a ferocious winner.'

The Empress arriving in England in 1139

She is breathing deeply, taking a good lungful of English grassy air. Feels good.Feels damp as well.She is sussing out the landscape for herself.There are a lot of people telling her which way she ought to go, but she’s paying no attention, she’s oblivious because she wants to make up her own mind about it.She’s spending quite a while just looking at the horizon and making sure she knows where she is and where she’s going.She wants to instil calm into her followers because they are all agitated talking at once and she doesn’t want that.She wants a bit more finesse.Now she’s taking command.They were trying to control her, but now she is gripping people and telling them what to do and which way to go and when.

Sunday, November 01, 2009

In between sitting in my study working on my writing, I've been out and about over the past few weeks researching and learning a lot about all sorts of things.

As many of my blog readers know, I use the Akashic Records to get at the people I write about. http://www.elizabethchadwick.com/akashic_record.html Alison, (who accesses these records for me) and I, were invited to give a talk and demonstration at the conference of the British Society of Dowsers in Cirencester. http://www.britishdowsers.org/ We were invited for the entire weekend to Cirencester Royal Agricultural College and so as well as our own talk, were able to attend several lectures by other speakers, including one on using dowsing rods in an archaeological context and a very fascinating and disturbing one on Electro Magnetic stress - what all those wireless microwaves bouncing round your house are actually doing to your health, and how to minimise the effect. The worst offenders in the home are cordless phones and wireless internet. The information on digital baby alarm monitors was horrific. Roy Riggs, the lecturer, has a website here:http://www.royriggs.co.uk/Alison and I gave our talk - how we came to use Alison's ability to tune into the past, what it means to us, how I work with it. We gave a short demonstration and took questions. In the audience, specifically to see us was Peter Stewart, a professor of physics who is working on the same thing as us from a scientific perspective. He uses the terminology 'Remote viewing' for what Alison is able to do and has conducted several successful experiments himself whilst engaged in obtaining the scientific data to bring to the mainstream.

Cirencester Royal Agricultural College

Home from Cirencester, it was off to Rufford Park with my re-enactment group the Conroi de Vey for a day's cooking in Sherwood Forest - beef and veg stew.

Addressing the dinner whilst a colleague spins wool.

And then the last full weekend in October it was Nottingham's famous Robin Hood Pageant, where the good, the bad and the seriously scary all unite to celebrate a broad spectrum of medieval themes under the umbrella of that most famous of outlaws. I had cooking pot duty again (which is my preference. I'm a reasonable cook and in the colder months, having charge of the cauldron means a fire and shelter from the rain). Saturday's dishes consisted of a meatball stew with mushrooms and onions for the meat eaters and a leek, onion and parsnip soup for those who had foresworn meat. As nibbles there were cheese and turnip pies, leche lumbard (a kind of fruit spread made with dates) cheeses, apples, pancakes and a smoked ham. Sunday was more of the same re the nibbles, but the hot food consisted of a vegetable and barley pottage and a lamb and apricot stew for the meat eaters (high status, but delicious!).

While there, I bought 2 tavern pottles for holding wine, dateline 13th-15thC. The mostly unglazed aspect of the pottles mean that they could be steeped in boiling water and which acts act like a thermos, so they were ideal for holding mulled wine. The little bit of glaze on these ( replicas of Kingston on Thames ware) is purely for decoration and snob factor. Height is about the size of an upright postcard. I also bought a hunting lodge mazer - a ghastly item dating from circa 1250 onwards. It has a representation of a deer and forest trees inside the body of the cup, so that as you drink down the wine, the tableau is revealed. It's a fascinating but horrible (to modern eyes) piece of work, rather like a tacky gift from the seaside. I just had to have it for show and tell!

Another item to add to my show and tell collection was an arrow. This is typical for circa 1200. It's poplar wood with goose feather fletching, bound with linen thread and secured with rabbit skin glue. Overall length is 2 feet 10ins. I wouldn't want to be on the receiving end of one of these!That's me done with re-enactment for a few months now. I am thinking of taking up spoon carving over the winter though...Here's Robin Wood's take on the matter with a video to click on at the left hand side http://www.robin-wood.co.uk/spoon-carving.htm Robin's site also shows what a porringer is, and you can even buy one. http://www.robin-wood.co.uk/bowls-plates.htm Philippa Gregory once said that she would never write the word porringer in one of her novels, so this is what one is (5th on the right) in case you were wondering!

Next time up - some Akashic excerpts from my Empress Matilda research.Stirring the cauldron, courtesy of Alan WoolhouseCredits go to Janet Walters for the photograph at the top of the blog.

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THE WINTER CROWN

WHAT READERS ARE SAYING

" Wow! I feel like someone used to watching movies in black and white but has just seen the first one in technicolor! " A personal letter from a reader.

"The Winter Crown ...will, I have no doubt, become the definitive fictional account of this remarkable woman.' ..." I’ve read a fair few fictional depictions of Henry II over the years and I must say that his portrait in The Winter Crown has the most authentic feel of them all."Kate Atherton, author of For Winters Night blog.

"Eeanor’s life story has been told many times over in historical novels but rarely with such insight, emotional intensity and page-turning readability." Pam Norfolk, Lancashire Evening Post.

"In the world of the arts, the Black Legend and the Golden Myth still hold sway, as seen in novels, such as Alison Weir's, which seek to portray both the scandalous, adulterous queen of legend and the powerful female ruler. Historians may shake their heads at the perpetuation of such myths, but many historical novelists such as Sharon Kay Penman and Elizabeth Chadwick are seeking to apply modern scholarship to their fiction, and consequently avoid the most egregious of the legends that surround Eleanor."

THE SUMMER QUEEN UK cover

US paperback cover. UK hardback

WHAT READERS ARE SAYING ABOUT THE SUMMER QUEEN

"What I loved about this novel, and I have felt this way about all of Elizabeth’s novels that I have read, is that she does not pander to stereotypes or write scandal for the sake of it. The historical Eleanor is defamed beyond belief- a whore chasing anything in trousers, a woman who committed incest with her uncle, a woman who was ‘ahead of her time’, and so on. Elizabeth’s Alienor is none of these things. She is treated fairly, as a woman of her own time, written in a believable way. Elizabeth does not go for scandal because she does not need to- the writing in this novel makes that very clear. Her scene setting is lovely, her character development top notch, and the book is a compulsive page turner. I couldn’t put it down." Sarah Bell

."The Summer Queen is a fabulous novel based on the most up-to-date and meticulous research. This is historical fiction at its best and I loved every page of it." Kate Atherton, blogger.

"I have read just about everything I can about Eleanor and enjoyed both biographical and fictional accounts of her life but I must say that your creation of Eleanor is the most compelling." Reader from Australia

"I loved the story; I loved the way the author wrote Alienor as a woman of her times instead of a thoroughly modern independent woman, or a slut in chase of anything in pants. As with all Chadwick novels, there's also the added plus of being sucked into another century with the sights, smells and sounds that wrap up a darn-near perfect reading experience. I couldn't put it down, and very sorry I'm going to have to wait for the next installment. Reader from the USA"

I often see the expressions, `fleshing out the history' and `making it real', and they more than apply here...the main aspect that made me keep turning the pages and burning the midnight oil? The things that I didn't know about Alienor.." Reader from Australia

"Chadwick has succeeded where many other novelists have failed by giving us not just the legend but the very human young woman – intelligent, determined, witty and sexy." Pam Norfolk. Lancashire Evening Post.